We must learn to forgive, says Mugabe in nation address

Robert Mugabe made a public address to the nation from the State House in Zimbabwe that was broadcast by the Zimbabwe Broadcast Corporation.

Mugabe, who was officially fired as party leader by Zanu-PF earlier on Sunday, did not announce his resignation as president of Zimbabwe in his address to the nation that many had expected him to do.

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What he did is acknowledged the concerns raised by the military over the past week as well as the concerns of the citizens of Zimbabwe.

He said processes needed to begin to ensure normalcy returned to the country.

He added that the events over the past week showcased Zimbabweans as ‘peaceable’ people.

Further, Mugabe said a strong sense of comradeship emerged from Sunday’s meeting.

He acknowledged that Zimbabwe’s economy was going through a ‘difficult patch’. He described how there were fears that the lack of unity in both the party and government was translating into perception of a lack of concern for the economy.

He said a new work culture and pace would be implemented to turn around the economy, adding that an entrepreneurial programme was soon to be launched.

He said the criticism raised against Zanu-PF was that the party was failing in some respects.

“The era of victimisation … must be put behind so as we all embrace a new ethos predicated on the supreme law of our party,” said Mugabe.

There must be general recognition that Zanu-PF was a party of traditions, he said.

He added that ‘inter-gernerational conflict’ within the party must be resolved as new rules are adopted. He said this would be discussed and settled at a congress that would be held in a few weeks’ time.

Many developments have occured in party or have been championed by people within members of the party, said Mugabe. “We cannot be guided by bitterness or vengefulness, both of which would not make us any better party members or make Zimbabwe any better.”

Mugabe added, “We must learn to forgive and resolve contradictions, real or perceived in a … Zimbabwean spirit.”

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[VIDEO] #Zimbabwe – the moment Robert Mugabe was recalled. Courtesy #DStv403 pic.twitter.com/6wBOtY1LNp

— eNCA (@eNCA) November 19, 2017

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